Temper screw and operating means



May 20 1924. 1,494,727

' E. WRIGHT TEMPER SCREW AND OPERATING MEANS Filed April 2 1921 2 SheeLs-Sneet- 1 v mw w Patented May 20, 1924. I UNITED STATES" PATENT QFFME LESLIE E. WRIGHT, or LOS ANGELES, carrroama, Assrqlvoaro FRED L. waro'n'r,

or Los Antennas, oanfroanra. TEMPEB scanw Ann ornnarrnc MEANS.

Application filed April 2, 1 21. swarm. 458,156.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEsLIE-E'. Wn'IGHT, a citizen of the United States, resldmg at Los Angeles, in the county of. Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in 'Iemper Screws and Operating Means; and the following is such a full, clear, and exact disclosure ofthe invention that anyone skilled in the art to 10 which it appertains may make and use the same.

My present invention relates to temper screws, of the type commonly used in connection with well drilling apparatus, to feed out the cable or line, supporting the drillbit in the well, during the drilling operation.

As is well known, in this class of work, the temper screw is carried by the free end of the walking beam, being pivotally mounted thereon on trunnions or the like, and carrying at its lower end a suitable clamp for engaging a line or cable extending into the bore to support the drill bit.

Inordinary practice the pivotal point of the walking beam is some twelve tofifteen feet above the working floor of the rig; the frame of the temper screw, of the type now in general use, being from five to seven feet in length, and the main screw which is operable therein, a corresponding length; therefore it is necessary for a workman to stand on a stepladder, or the like, resting upon the rig floor, to reach the lower end of the frame, to operate the yoke screw and cross bar for feeding out the main screw.

This arrangement is inconvenient and unhandy, as it requires the workman to operate the yoke screw with one hand, to release the clamping effect of the thread box, and to. operate the cross bar with the other hand, to turn the main screw through the thread box while it is unclamped, and to again tighten the yoke screw after turning the main screw. Furthermore, as the main screw can ordinarily only be turned immediately after the drill bit has struck the bottom of the bore, and when the tension is OK the line, the workman must act quickly to make even a quarter of a turn of the main screw.

Also, there is some danger attached to opcrating this old type of temper screw. In-

case the line becomes twisted in the bore, releasing of the yoke screw permits the main 5 screw to swing around quickly,,resulting in the. cross bar very often striking the workman. i.

Having the aforementioned objectionable features'in mind, I have designedand perfected the herein described temper screw arrangement to overcome them; resulting in a structure which is conducivev to more simple, efficient and: accurate. operation, and obviat ing. any possibility ofinjury to the workman.

To accomplish theselresults I provide a temperscrew wherein the main screw'is revolubly suspended from one end in a T-bear' ing, pivotally. supported on the walking beam, and wherein the thread box is placed? at the upper end of the frame, so the frame is movable relative to the screw, by rotation of the latter, to feed out the line; the line i in this case being carried by the frame. I i

also provide a suitable mechanism, carried on'the. walking. beam, for rotating the screw this mechanism being ,manually operable. from the derrick fioor.

Also, with my improved temper screw, the main screw can be quickly rotated to return the thread box and the frame to the upper end thereof, to repeat the drilling operation, thereby obviating the tedious work of performingthis function in connection withfthe old style of screws.

The merits of my invention will be more fully 'set forth in the following detaildescription, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which I have illustrated its preferred specific embodiment, and in which-- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of the lower end of a typical drillingrig showing a practical application of my device; Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of my improved temper screw; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a typical walking beam and Samson-post, showing the attachment of my invention thereto; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a further enlarged sectional elevation of' the temper screw; Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of one of the bearing blocks, the view beingtaken on line 66 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a'd'etail view of the mounting for one of thefadjusting sprockets. being taken as indicated by line .7.7 of Fig. 3,; and Fig. 8 is a sectionalview of the sprockets and mounting therefor, taken as-indicated by line 88 of Fig. 4:.

Referring now to the drawings, and par ticularly to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, my invention comprises essentially a main screw 10, revolubly journaled at its upper end in a T-.

bearing 11, and carrying a bearing block 12 on which are supported supporting rods 13,

. work, and the threads may be of any size sufiicien-tly heavy to carry the load'ofthe line. The upper end is turnedxsmooth, as

at 15 formin a bearin ortion extending 7 n g p i.

loosely through a bore 16, in the lower bearing-portion 17, of the T-block 11, the upper end- 18 being enlarged, as shown, to form a shoulder 19 (see Fig. 5). A thrust bearingpgenerally designated by the numeral 20, may be interposed between the shoulder 19 and the, top face 22 of the portion 17, this hearing being of any nature suitable to carry the load imposed upon the screw, and at the same time permit its free -rotation. The bearing shown will accomplish this purpose in a satisfactory manner; and consists of a pair of opposed annular plates 23 and 24, having central apertures through which the bearing portion 15 extends, and being annularly grooved for the retention of balls 25. A nut 26 may be screw-threadedly mounted on the screw 10, to abut against the lOWer face 27, of the portion 1.7,to limit the longitudinal movement oi: the portion 15 in this bearing.

The bearing block 12, is preferably of the configuration shown in the drawings, and has a central longitudinal bore 28, inter nally screw-three. ded for engag-{in g the screwthreads o'f'the screw 10, and a pair of smaller bores on either side, thereof, designated by the numeral 29, through which the supporting rods extend. The supportingrods 13 have heads 30 which maybe formed integral therewith, or may have screwthreaded connections, as shown in the drawings adapted to engage the top face of the block 12, to support them therein, or any other suitable form of means may be pro vided for rigidly securing them in their support-ed positions.

A second bearing block 31 is provided having a central bore32, and a pair of bores on either side thereof, through whichthe supporting rods 13 loosely 8X v tend; this block being provided primarily for the purpose of holding the lower end. of'thescrew 10 in alignment with the rods 13.

exception that the central-bore 32 is smaller than the bore 28, and it is not internally screw threaded to engage the rod 10; but has a smooth bore for the reception of the It is typical of the block 12, with the lower reduced end 34, and is slidably carried on the supporting rods 13, by means of a nut 35 screw-threadedly mounted on the reduced end 34 as shown. If desired, the lateral ends of the block 31 may be trans versely slotted into the bores 33, and lugs 36 provided thereon, for the reception of screws 37, whereby the half portions 31 will act asspring clamps, which may be clamped about the supporting rods 13, to

take up some of the load of the line when bearing portion 17, having a pair of upwardly extending arms 40, terminating in trunnions 41, by means of which the screw is pivotally mounted upon the walkingbeam 42. In ordinary practice the trunnions 41 are merely supported in grooves cut in the top faces 43 of the outer ends of the individual members 42 comprising the walkingbeam 42, so the screw hangs down between them, and this method of mounting may beutilized in the mounting of my device. However, I prefer to use a pair of typical bearing blocks 44, rigidly mounted on the top faces of the walking beam members, (see Figs. 2 and'3), in which the trunnions 41 are pivotally journaled,

to properly support the parts to be here ina'lter described, in operative relation to the walking beam. Thus it will be seen that the T-head 11 is mounted upon the walking beam 42, so the screw will pivot in a plane therewith, during the vertical reciprocating movement of the end thereof, and that the screw 10 is rotatable relative thereto. In order that the bearing block 12, and the supporting rods 13, carrying the clamp 15, will not be rotated with the screw 10 when it is rotated, 1 provide a guide rod 45, which extends through abore 46 in a lug 47, on the portion 17 of the T-block 11;- this rod also passing loosely through a bore 48 in an outwardly extending lug 49, on, the block 12; and through a similar bore 50 in a similar lug 51, on the block 31. Nuts 52 may screwthreadedly engage the ends of the rod 45, to retain it in" the'lugs 47" and 51, as described. b

- A sprocket wheel '53, is rigidly mounted upon the upper end of the enlarged por tion 18, of the screw 10, for rotating the screw 10 in the bearing portion 17; this" sprocket being adapted to be rotated by a suitable chain 54, engaging it and a similar but larger sprocket 55, mounted u'pou' the walking beam 42 (see Figs. 3 and 4) The sprocket is mounted to rotate 1n a horizontal plane with the sprocket 53, and

parallel with the top face of the walking beam, o a vertically disposed shaft 56-, being keyed thereto, which shaft in turn is revolubly mounted in a suitable-bearing upon a support'57. i

The sprocket 53 is :mounted onthe screw 10 in axial alignment with the trunnions 41, to minimize, vas far as possible, any variation in distance between the axis of the screw and the shaft/56, when the screw is swinging relative to the walking'bea-m during; operation; and the sprocket 55"is mounted to rotate in a plane with the sprocket 53, when the walking !beam isin horizontal position. However, as the plane of rotation of the sprocket 53 will vary relative to the top face of the walking beam during operation, some means must be, provided to compensatefor it. This I accomplish by providing a pair of tubular bear ings 58 on either end of the support 57 these hearings being slidable on bearing rods- 59, which in turn are rigidly supported in 'suit-- able brackets 60, on the top faces ofthe walking beam members 42 Expansile wire springs 61, surrounding the rods 59, and confined between brackets 60 and bearing sleeves 58, serve to hold thechain 54 taut, duringall variations in relative positions of the screw 10 and shaft 56, per-- mitting such movements, while at the same time maintaining an' operative engagement at all times with the sprockets 53 an'd55. The screw 10 is adapted to be manually rotatable, through the medium of the sprocket 53, chain 54:, sprocket 55 and shaft 56, by means of.an endless chain 62, engaging a second sprocket 63, likewise keyed upon the shaft 56; this second chain 62 passing over guide rollers 64:, supported upon the top of the walking beam members 42 and hanging downwardly" to a point adjacent the floor 65, of the rig 66, and in position where it can be reached by a workmanstanding on this floor. In order that the chain 62 will not run oif the rollers 64, during operation of the walk ing beam 42, these rollers are provided with suitable guides or housings 65, as is also the sprocket63, as indicated at 66.

In operation it" will be readily seen that a workman, standing upon the floor 65' ad jacent the casing head 67, where he is in position to keep hish-and on the line 68, to feel the drills striking the bottom of the bore, can keep hold of the chain 62, and,-through the medium of thischain,

the sprocket 63, shaft 56, sprocket 55,'chain 54, and sprocket 53 on the upperend of the screw 10, properly feed out the screwments in structure may be made, from that shown 1n the dra-w1ngs,-'as for instance the arrangement of, sprockets and chains for operatively rotating the screw 10 during operation of the walking beam 42, may be altered to suit circumstances, and many other types of operating means may be pro-- vided for accomplishing the desired results. And, while I have herein-disclosed the, pre ferred embodiment of my device, to accom-f plish the desired end, it is nevertheless to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to these particular structural features as shown, "but reserve the right to make any changes or modifications in structure which willcome within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

carried by the bearing block, and means to. prevent rotation of the 'frame with thescrew, said means comprising a rod carried, by the bearing gaged by the bearing block.

2., In a device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported at its upper end in said bearing memberfa bearing'block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, a guide block to keep the screw in alignment with the frame, and means to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, said means comprising a rod carried by thebearing mem ber and guide block and slidingly engaged by the frame.

In a device of the-character described, a bearingmember, a screw member revolubly supported at its upper end in saidbearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, a guide block member and slidingly en 'threadedly engaging the screw, a guide block revolubly carried by the lower end of the screw and 'slidingly engaged; by the frame to keep the screw in alignment therewith, and means to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, said means consisting of a guide rodv carried between the bearing member and the guide block and slidingly engaged by the frame. 7

In a device. of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported at its upper end in said bearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, means to pre vent rotation of the frame with the screw, said means comprising a rod carried by the bearing memberand sliding engaged bearing block, and means to rotate the screw to cause longitudinal movement of the frame thereon.

6. In a device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported at its upper end in said bearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw,.a frame carried by the bearing block, a guide block to keep the screw in alignment with the frame, means to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, said means comprising a rod carried by the bearing member and guide block and slidingly engaged by the frame, and means to rotate the screw to cause longitudinal movement of the frame thereon.

7.v In a-device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported at its upper end in said bearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, a guide block carried by the screw and slidingly engaging the frame to keep the screw in alignment with the frame, means to prevent ro tation of the frame with the screw, said means comprising a rod carried by the bearing member and guide block and slidingly engaged by the'frame, and means to rotate the screw to cause longitudinalmovement of the frame thereon.

8 In a device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolublysupported on said bearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, and means carried by the bearing member toprevent rotation of the frame with the screw.

9. In a device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported on said bearing member, a bearing block screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, and means carried by the bearing member and engageable by the bearing bloc-h 'member, of a bearing member mounted thereon to rotate about a horizontal axis, a

screw member carried by the bearing member and adapted torotate about a vertical axis, a frame screw threadedly mounted on the screw to carry a drill line, meansto prevent rotationofthe' frame with the screw, and flexible means o-peratively connected with the screw to rotate it to feed out the line, 11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable member, of a bearing member mounted thereon to rotate about a horizontal, axis, a screw member carried by the bearing member and adapted to rotate about a vertical axis, a bearing 'bloclr screw threaded-1y mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block, means carried by the hearing member to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, and means to rotatethe' screw, said means being flexibleto compensate for pivotal movement of the screw about its horizontal axis. 7,

12. In a device of the character, described, the combination with a walking beam, of a bearing member mounted thereon to rotate about a horizontal axis, a screw member carried by the bearing member and adapted to rotate about a vertical axis, a bearing block,

screw threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block to sup port a drill line, means carried by the bearing member and engageable by the bearing block to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, and means carried by the walking beam for rotating the screw to food out the line, said means embodying a flexible operative connectionjwith the screw to compen sate for its movement about its horizontal axis.

13. In a device of the character described,

a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported by said bearing member and held against relative axial movement, a bearing block screw-threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block for supporting a drill line, and means to prevent rotation. of ,the'framewith the screw. 7

14. In a device of the character described, a bearing member, a screw member revolubly supported by said bearing member and held against relative axial movement, a bearing block screw-threadedly mounted on the screw, a frame carried by the bearing block for supporting a drill line, and means in connection withthe bearing member to prevent rotation of the frame with} the screw.

15. In a device of thecharacter described,

16. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a walking beam, of a bearing member mounted thereon to OSClllate about a horizontal axis, a screw member carried by the bearing member adapted to I rotate about a vertical axis but held against axial movement relative thereto, a frame screw-threadedly carried by the bearing 20 block to support a drill line, means carried by the bearing member and engageable by the frame to prevent rotation of the frame with the screw, and means carriedby the walkingbeam for rotating the screw to feed 25o out the line, said means embodying a flexible operative connection with the screwto compensate for its oscillatory movement.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed day of March, 1921. LESLIE E. WRIGHT,

my name this 23d 30 

